dander625

MBARNBSN, Thanks so much for taking the time to respond to my post. I thought that the numbers sounded pretty good. Hopefully I will get the job offer!

Hi- Recently interviewed for a field-based RN case manager position handling worker's compensation claims in the NJ/NY metro area. Specifics are: Salary is mid 60's, home-based, would have to use my own laptop and fax machine, monthly cell phone allowance of $50 (to get a second line on existing cell phone), 5-10 visits/week, caseload of 25-40 depending on acuity. I would really like to pursue this position, interesting job and hiring manager was very nice, but am wondering if the above specifics are the norm. Thoughts anyone? Thanks!

What are the typical hours/days for an RN in assisted living? I'm wondering if it is similar to what I currently work (7-3 shift, M-F, EOW). I've seen ads for FT and PT and am seriously thinking of applying - getting a bit tired of LTC/subacute, but I love working with the senior population. Thanks for your help!

Hi, My twins were born prematurely (31 weeks, both intubated in the NICU) and when they came home one of my sons had the same sound when he drank from his bottle and sometimes when he was asleep. His pediatrician said it was called tracheomalacia(sp?) and explained to me that the cartilage in his windpipe was soft and that by his first birthday the cartilage would mature and the raspy sounds would disappear. Sure enough, she was right! Don't know if this explains the sounds in your little 24 weeker, but thought I'd mention it as a possibility.

I went through the same thing as you - much of it due to the recent hospital closings here in NJ. All of those experienced RNs who were laid off were hired into the other hospitals. I wanted to start out in a hospital, but it seems that they were only hiring those experienced RNs, not the new grads. I finally got a job on a sub-acute unit at a LTC facility. Not what I wanted to do (you will work your buns off!), but it did get me that needed experience on my resume. So apply to LTC, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living. Get that experience on your resume and then apply to the hospitals. Hang in there and best of luck to you!

Dawn, Sounds like a very unsafe situation. Where ever you go, always remember that it's your license that is at risk and you worked very hard to earn it! Best of luck to you.

Thornbird, Thanks for your reply! You've provided me with a lot of helpful information. I have an average of 18 patients in subacute and I am doing everything - meds, treatments, requesting med refills from the outside pharmacy, f/u on md orders, charting (thankfully, that's only 1x/day), etc. Sounds like my facility could use another set of hands, like an LPN, but I know that staffing issues are in all of our jobs and the bottom line is what matters. Yes, I am feeling overwhelmed and if my preceptor, who has been an RN in both acute care and subacute care for 20+ years, is overwhelmed....well, that's not a good sign for me. I think that I will put in my time, get experience on my resume, and see what else is out there!

Eldragon, Yes, there are LPNs at my facility here in NJ, however, they are assigned to the LTC side not sub-acute which is where I work. It's interesting how job responsibilities vary from facility to facility. Perhaps hospitals are more standardized? Food for thought....

Josn07, Thanks for your reply. It's nice to know that I'm not alone. I have so much admiration and respect for LTC nurses. As much as I love working with the senior population, I know that this won't be a long-term position for me. My plans are the same as yours...get experience and move on! Good luck to you, too!

Hi CT Pixie, Thanks for the info! Yes, I know the starting rate is low...when HR told me the starting rate, my jaw came very close to hitting the floor! But we've had quite a few hospital closings here in Northern NJ and the job market really was terrible. As a new grad, I am getting all of the experience I can, updating and adding to my nursing skill set, and then hopefully in a couple of months I can apply to hospitals that were only hiring experienced RNs. At least that's my plan! Good luck on the NCLEX!

Hi CapeCodMermaid, I fully agree with your comment that the stress level is higher in LTC. My plan is to get some experience under my belt and go to acute care in a hospital. At least in a hospital, part-time status will provide me with medical coverage; part-time in the subacute/LTC facility doesn't....and the monthly cost to cover myself and my children via a private plan is draining me financially. But at least I am getting the experience and I have already updated my resume. As a new grad working in LTC, my hat is off to all of the nurses who have worked in LTC for years! Cheers! :cheers:

Hi- I am a new grad RN working on a subacute/rehab unit at a LTC facility. Received 2 weeks worth of orientation and have some questions. I average 18 pts. on the 7-3 shift. I was surprised that the CNA doesn't do vital signs in the am, was told that they are not "certified" (huh?) so it's my responsibility as the RN to get vs. Now, we all know that the majority of the senior population is on some type of cardiac or antihypertensive med, so that means I have to stop at each pts. door, wheel in the machine and take their complete vs, then give meds. First med pass is 8am and the seniors take a lot of meds! This process takes up a chunk of the morning. Oh yes, it's also the RN's responsibility to do blood glucose checks. Between the 8am, 9am, 11am, 12pm and 2pm med passes, I also have wound treatments, charting, follow-ups, etc. to do. At my clinical rotations in the hospital, the CNA or PCA always did vs and bg's. Is this job reasonable or am I just being a newbie? Don't know if I should start looking around for another job after getting some experience. Even my preceptor told me that she's lucky if she takes 10 minutes for lunch and gets to go the bathroom once a day. Thanks for your input!

Thanks to all of you who replied to my post! I ended up accepting this job offer. I knew that the starting rate was low, however, as a new grad in a tight job market here in Northern NJ, I felt I needed to get some experience on my resume. Hopefully, in the short-term I will be able to move on to bigger and better opportunities. Wish me luck!

Hi, I am a new grad and due to the many hospitals closings here in NJ and my need to work a day shift, I have to start out in LTC on a subacute unit. I would like to transfer this experience to a med/surg hospital position in the near future (hospital I want to work at wants experienced nurses). I want to do home health in the future and would require med/surg experience (acute care). My question is, have you seen many LTC nurses hired in your facility? How is the transition for them? I am guessing that by working on a subacute unit I would gain more valuable experience than if I worked at a nursing home. Thanks for your reply!!!

Hi, BCC uses Accuplacer, they used to use the NET exam. I remember that there was quite a bit of algebra and you had to write an essay. Check out this site, hope it helps. http://www.testprepreview.com/accuplacer_practice.htm